i 9 o 4 ] TURNING NORTH 291 



passed a large one that was slowly oscillating. We could see 

 it gradually tilt over until its flat surface was half submerged, 

 then it slowly righted itself again ; this went on for some time, 

 the oscillations growing larger, until suddenly it got beyond the 

 point of recovery and with a huge splash turned turtle. The 

 sight of this immense mass rolling over in the foaming sea was 

 very impressive, and we were grateful that it should have 

 chosen such an opportune moment for our benefit. We are 

 longing for clear weather • one cannot but believe there must 

 be land somewhere in this region, especially on account of our 

 soundings, but we know that we cannot go on like this much 

 longer. We have only sixty tons of coal remaining, a bare 

 sufficiency to take us north ; no doubt the wisest plan would 

 be to turn north now, but I have decided to go on as we are 

 for another day in hopes that fortune may favour us with one 

 clear sight of our surroundings.' 



' March 4. — The wind failed us last night, and it has been 

 calm all day. The sky has been dull, but the horizon quite 

 clear ; we could have seen land at a great distance, yet none 

 has been in sight, and thus once and for all we have definitely 

 disposed of Wilkes Land. Both Armitage and I got good 

 sights, and both fixed our noon position to be in latitude 

 67.23 S., longitude 155-30 E. We have been standing N.W. 

 true, and on such a course we should have sighted Eld's Peak 

 and Ringold's Knoll on our right had these places existed. It 

 is therefore quite evident that they do not, nor can there be 

 any land in this direction, as the long ocean swell has never 

 ceased to roll steadily in from the north, and we have other 

 signs of bird life which show a clear sea in that direction. 

 To-night Cape Hudson should be in sight on the port bow, 

 but that also is conspicuous by its absence. After reading 

 Wilkes' report again, I must conclude that as these places are 

 non-existent, there is no case for any land eastward of Adelie 

 Land. It is a great disappointment to have to turn north at 

 such an interesting time, but I feel that it is imperative ; we 

 have scarcely coal enough for ten days' steaming, and our late 

 experiences have shown clearly how unmanageable the ship 



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